Bishop Richard Moth Looks Forward to Welcoming New Christians in the Diocese at Easter

Bishop Richard Moth in his Pastoral Message for 4th Sunday of Lent, known as Laetare Sunday, looks forward to the baptism and the reception of over 150 new Catholics in the Diocese at Easter. Laetare means to rejoice and this Lent we have reason to rejoice as the Church welcomes these new Catholics.

At the beginning of Lent in Arundel Cathedral Bishop Richard welcomed 48 people preparing for Christian Baptism at Easter. At the same time, he also welcomed another 95 people who are to be received into the Church in parishes this Easter.

He says in his Pastoral Message that “The whole Church prays for an increase in joy as we prepare to welcome new Christians amongst us, those who make a new journey in the light of the Gospel.”

Bishop Richard pointing to the story of the blind man restored to sight by Jesus in the Gospel which is read in all Churches this weekend says, that like the blind man, all of us, and especially those on the way to reception into the Church at Easter: “We find the path to life when we are truly open to the light that comes from Christ. It is in him we find our dignity and the new possibilities that lead us to life.”

Bishop Richard Moth reminds us that these new Christians as for all the Baptised are called to share with the world what they will receive at Easter: “that our minds and hearts be open to the joy of Jesus’ light, a light and a joy he commands us to share with our brothers and sisters.”